Results 41 - 60 of 92
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: LuckyCharm Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | Suffering for Christ's sake | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45209 | ||
I think we've gone far afield of my original question, here. To make sure I understand you correctly, are you saying Col 1:24 would not apply to all sufferings we experience? I believe we've come to that consensus with this thread -- now I'm just trying to define the kinds that WOULD apply, by using examples. --Cheryl |
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42 | The lessons of suffering | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45208 | ||
I'm sorry if you find the thread overlong, Searcher, but I just don't think things are always so black-and-white. For example, I stayed with an abusive man for seven years because I thought it was my duty as a Christian, and that God would hold me to my vows no matter how bad the situation became. In your viewpoint, this wouldn't fall into the category of suffering "for His sake," but I disagree. My examples were intended to cover a broad range of circumstances, to get as many thoughts and ideas as possible on this subject. I have seen people counseled, in almost every type of difficulty imaginable, to "offer it up to the Lord," and to bear their trials patiently "for His sake." I was wondering whether this advice could really be applied so broadly, or whether there are situations that can't be offered up this way. --Cheryl |
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43 | Two "wills" of God? | Hebrews | LuckyCharm | 45155 | ||
Hi John, Which passage are you referring to in particular? FWIW, I have heard a distinction between God's "permissive" will and His "active" will (or at least I believe those were the terms used). Funny you should ask this today -- I was just pondering the will of God earlier this morning.... Peace, --Cheryl |
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44 | The lessons of suffering | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45113 | ||
Thanks for your reply, Creed. I agree that it is important to find the lesson in suffering, and that all suffering contains a hidden gift, a lesson, an inner transformation ("We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Rom 5:3-4)) But, to get back to the question, do you believe such things as I have listed can be suffered bravely "for Christ's sake," or that such sufferings are joined to His passion and sacrifice here on Earth? --Cheryl |
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45 | Suffering for Christ's sake | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45071 | ||
Thank you, Makarios, for your further thoughts. So, one could not legitimately suffer "for Christ's sake" the following ills: 1) A serious illness 2) Death of a family member 3) Natural disaster Since all of these cannot be suffered in holiness, must we then rant and rail against them? --Cheryl |
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46 | How do our sufferingss "fill up"... | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45062 | ||
Thank you for your input, Creed! But my question was directed more toward the verse in question, Col 1:24, and how our sufferings here would "fill up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." I agree that we must prayerfully reflect in all sufferings. --Cheryl |
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47 | The body, and the Head of the body | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45061 | ||
I did read most of those references, Makarios. Which of them in particular do you feel bring to bear on this question? --Cheryl |
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48 | Differentiating various sufferings | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45042 | ||
Thanks, meusing, for that wonderful quote! So, how do we distinguish between the sufferings that form part of that "light end" of the cross we carry, and other sufferings we might undergo that are completely unrelated to His sufferings, and carry no redemptive value? Or is there any difference? Peace, --Cheryl |
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49 | Differentiating between attacks | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45038 | ||
Hi meusing, You say, "An abusive relationship is an attack on us, not a cross to be born." But is not all persecution an attack, and still a cross to be borne? Do you draw a distinction between attacks stemming directly from our profession of faith, and all other attacks? --Cheryl |
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50 | The body, and the Head of the body | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45037 | ||
Hello, Makarios. You say that not all suffering is included in the afflictions of Christ. In Col 1:18, we read, "And He is the head of the body, the church...." A friend of mine broke her wrist recently, very badly. I went to visit her today, and she was telling me how she can't even do the simplest things for herself in that condition. Dressing herself, doing things about the house -- forget spending time on the computer! Clearly, her wrist injury has affected her whole life -- she can't say, "Well, it's just one wrist, I have another, so I just won't use that one for a while." Do you not believe that when one member of the body suffers, the whole body is afflicted? Whether I stub my toe or bite my lip, that pain signal is forwarded to my brain regardless, and for a moment, I cannot think of anything else. I am totally focused on the pain, and temporarily immobilized. Do you not believe Our Lord feels our pains and sufferings just as acutely? In Him, --Cheryl |
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51 | What is a spiritual sacrifice? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45017 | ||
Hi Tim, and thanks for responding to this thread! I have a few quotes to add here: "It will be of great importance if you can leave the care of your affairs to, and spend the remainder of your life only in worshipping GOD. He requires no great matters of us; a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration: sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return Him thanks for the favours He has given you, and still gives you, in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals, and when you are in company: the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we are aware of." (Brother Lawrence, in The Practice of the Presence of God) "The suffering of man is also the suffering of God." (Paul Tournier) "Unearned suffering is redemptive." (Martin Luther King, Jr.) "We all know people who have been made much meaner and more irritable and more intolerable to live with by suffering; it is not right to say that all suffering perfects. It only perfects one type of person—the one who accepts the call of God in Christ Jesus." (Oswald Chambers) "I offer you, Lord, my thoughts: to be fixed on you; My words: to have you for their theme; My actions: to reflect my love for you; My sufferings: to be endured for your greater glory." (from the Universal Prayer, attributed to Pope Clement XI) Question: Are these thoughts and sentiments unscriptural? What does it mean to offer up a "spiritual sacrifice" (1 Pet 2:1)? --Cheryl |
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52 | What about abusive marriage? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 45006 | ||
Hi Tim, Thanks for your input. But what about #2 (staying in an abusive marriage)? Couldn't that be done "consciously and willingly, seeking mortification of the flesh" as well? Not to mention that the Bible doesn't say anything about nursing homes, but it does tell us that the Lord "hates" divorce. --Cheryl |
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53 | relations after divorce? | Matt 19:5 | LuckyCharm | 45005 | ||
Hi Tim, Please feel free to share my comments if you think they'd be helpful! Who knows, it might open up some unexpected dialogue about something important... Best wishes to you and your "new" bride-to-be! In Him, --Cheryl |
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54 | So, not ALL suffering is included? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 44960 | ||
So then, NOT all suffering can be applied to the verse in question, Col 1:24, in your opinion? --Cheryl |
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55 | Help me understand John 14:1-7 | John 14:1 | LuckyCharm | 44944 | ||
Are you asking why the word is variously translated "heart" and "hearts" in verse 1? The Greek word "kardia" is used in the Gospels to refer to the generic heart, as in "slow in heart to believe" (Luke 24:25), a specific person's heart, as in "[Mary] pondered them all in her heart" (Luke 2:19), and in a plural sense, as in "their heart was hardened" (Mark 6:52). In John 14:1, the construction is actually "Let not be troubled of you the heart," according to my interlinear Greek New Testament, so the operative word here is actually "you," if we want to determine whether Jesus was addressing His words to the group at large, or to a particular disciple. The word for "you" used in verse 1 is exactly the same as the one used later in John 15:18, where He is clearly speaking to the group as a whole ("the world hateth you"), as well as in 16:4-5, for two examples. I hope I have understood your question correctly. Does this help? --Cheryl |
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56 | What is story in the book of John? | John 14:1 | LuckyCharm | 44939 | ||
Jesus was in the Upper Room celebrating the Passover with His disciples when this conversation took place. Peter had just asked Him where He was going, and why Peter couldn't follow Him. John 14:1 begins "Do not let your hearts be troubled..." So it seems to me He was addressing the group, explaining that He was going to prepare a place for them. Thomas interjects in verse 5, saying that if they didn't know where He was going, how could they know the way there? Apparently he still didn't get the picture -- Jesus was trying to prepare them for His death, but they were looking for a map. Jesus knew this was going to be His last chance to talk to them about the things that really mattered, but it took a while before they understood that He was talking about His death. Does this help? --Cheryl |
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57 | Hurtone, how are you? Feeling better? | Bible general Archive 1 | LuckyCharm | 44896 | ||
I was thinking about him myself, today. He seems to have disappeared from the board...... Hurtone, I know you're going through a lot of pain right now, but there are people here who genuinely care about you! Write us and let us know how you're doing, okay? --Cheryl |
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58 | Suffering for Christ | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 44893 | ||
That is the crux of the issue, Makarios: What does it mean to suffer "for Christ"? I cannot answer this. I am asking my Christian brothers and sisters for input. Thanks, Cheryl |
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59 | Which kinds of suffering? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 44887 | ||
Thanks for your contribution, Searcher! So do you believe there is a difference between any of these types of suffering: 1) Fasting 2) Staying in an abusive marriage 3) Getting laid off due to industry downturns 4) Caring for an elderly parent instead of putting them in a nursing home 5) Getting hit by a hit-and-run drunk driver, and suffering a broken pelvis Which of these situations can legitimately be offered up in conjunction with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and why? --Cheryl |
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60 | Seeking out suffering? | Col 1:24 | LuckyCharm | 44885 | ||
Good point, Makarios. To give you an example, I married a man, years ago, who I knew was abusive. But I loved him and throughout our hellish marriage, I consoled myself that I was suffering for Christ. Many people would say that that suffering was avoidable, and that therefore my sufferings in that marriage cannot be placed under the sufferings of Christ. And in hindsight, aren't most sufferings avoidable, anyway? Major catastrophes are the exception, not the norm. Most of what we suffer, we bring upon ourselves through our choices, do we not? --Cheryl |
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